The Women of Enlightenment Chapter of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC) at Illinois State University brought the community together during the Walk For Preston. The walk took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 on the Quad. On May 6, 2023, NACWC lost their sister, Aréanah Preston, to gun violence. This walk was organized to spread awareness about gun violence and push for change. Junior elementary education major Kiara Shields is the vice president of the Women of Enlightenment Chapter. She was one of the people who helped organize the walk. “We began this walk last year for the first time in honor of one of our fallen feds, Aréanah Preston,” Shields said. “She was a Chicago police officer that was killed right when she got off duty by gun violence.” Junior political science major Lexi Smith is the president of the Women of Enlightenment Chapter and another organizer of Walk For Preston. Smith explained the inspiration behind organizing this walk. “We initially got the idea from Nigeria Figures, who’s a previous member of our organization,” Smith said. “She brought up the fact that we should do something to give back to the community of ISU, and we took initiative and did that.” Leaders gave opening remarks at 11:50 a.m., followed by a prayer led by junior Bella Green. The walk, led by Preston’s family, began immediately afterwards. Attendees received a punch card to keep track of how many laps they walked around the Quad. Those who walked six laps had a chance to enter a raffle to win select prizes. Organizers and attendees also used chalk to write motivational words on the Quad. Smith’s favorite motivational quote was “Remember your why,” explaining that she believes “everyone is here for the same purpose.” Smith continued to explain the purpose behind the walk. “A lot of us are motivated by Aréanah Preston, our sister, but we’re also walking for those who can’t as well—those who passed away through gun violence,” Smith said. Preston’s mother, Dionne Mhoon, described the kind of person Preston was. “She was amazing, very well organized, funny, goal-driven, excited about her next goals and very much a blessing to have,” Mhoon said. “I am so proud of her. Even though she was not able to complete all [of] her goals, I’m proud to call her my daughter.” Mhoon described how she wants others to remember Preston. “I want [everyone] to remember her greatness, what a great person she was and how she gave so much in the little time that she was here,” Mhoon said. “[She] could set goals and finish them and still be a well-rounded child.” Preston’s family created the private, nonprofit Peace For Preston Foundation to continue her work and honor her life by giving back to others. “We do food giveaways, prom dress giveaways, we go to [Chicago Public Schools] and mentor,” Mhoon said. “[We’re] just trying to teach kids how to do the right thing, to make great choices and how bad choices will affect so many lives.” The walk ended at around 1:30 p.m. with a closing prayer led by junior integrated health major and NACWC Community Service Chair Stephanie Akindipe. Shields explained why it is important to raise awareness about gun violence. “Just knowing that a lot of the population of [ISU] comes from Chicago, and gun violence is a prevalent issue within the community [of Chicago],” Shields said. “We just wanted to shine a light on that, and then we also wanted to honor the legacy of one of our sisters and all that she has done for the organization and community as a whole,” Shields continued. Mhoon shared what she hopes the community takes away from this walk. “Put the guns down and make great choices,” Mhoon said. “The choices you make can affect so many. The bad choices can leave such a negative impact on so many families.” “This is [the] second year of her passing, and it feels like the very first day, most days,” Mhoon continued. “But, I get up for her. I know that her work is not complete, so I have to finish that work. It’s important to keep fighting, even through my grief.” More information about the Peace For Preston Foundation can be found here.